Remembering Geerjaparsad Ramloll 

By Sookdeo Suntah

I refer to the just homage paid to the late Geerjaparsad Ramloll in the Mauritius Times of 25 June 10, and I would like to add a few words regarding his devoted commitment and personal contributions for the benefit of our fellow countrymen in particular in the field of sports. Your readers and Mauritians of the younger generation may not be aware that Pandit, as he was affectionately known to us, was also, besides his involvement in the media, the first Secretary of the Hindu Cadets Association (now known as the Cadets Club). He devoted himself heart and soul for years to the promotion of football and of the Hindu Cadets Association.

A stroll down memory lane brings to my mind our weekly meetings, every Sunday morning, at the Vishnu Kshetra Mandir, St Denis Street, Port-Louis, which brought together, thanks to Pandit, the late Ram Ruhee, Soorooj Bacha and Markanday Banymandhub among others. It not by pure chance that Etwatram Chandan, the eldest son of the officiating Pandit at the Mandir preceded me as the second president of the Hindu Cadets Association in 1951-52. The magazine brought out to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Cadets Club carries a fitting tribute to the founder-members of the Association.

It’s also good to mention that both Ram (Ruhee) and Man (Ramboccus), Secretary and President of the CNOM respectively, lived in Ward IV, Port-Louis. I also happen to live in that same area where we often met to discuss about the promotion of the Association. The Cadets Club today can be proud to have a site of its own at Trianon which was meant to house its sports as well as social and cultural activities.

I am sure that older readers will have experienced a moment of joy and happiness on being reminded of the heroic days of the Hindu Cadets and of the dedicated men behind them.


* Published in print edition on 9 July 2010

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